Route Overview: Pune to Shirdi
Quick Route Summary:
187 km
Total Distance
4-4.5 hrs
Travel Time
NH60
Main Highway
Primary Route: Pune → Ahmednagar → Shirdi (via NH60)
This is the fastest and most well-maintained route. 4-lane national highway from Pune to Ahmednagar, then 2-lane state highway to Shirdi. Excellent road quality year-round with good facilities throughout the journey.
Why NH60 via Ahmednagar is the Best Route:
Well-Maintained Roads
National highway standard with regular maintenance, smooth driving experience. Recently upgraded sections near Ahmednagar.
Good Facilities
Multiple fuel stations, restaurants, restrooms, and medical facilities along the route, especially in Ahmednagar.
No Ghat Sections
Unlike Mumbai-Pune route, no hilly terrain or winding ghats. Mostly flat plains, safe in all weather conditions including monsoon.
Minimal Traffic
Less congested than major highways. Smooth flow except near Ahmednagar city center during peak hours (11 AM-1 PM, 5-7 PM).
Kilometer-wise Route Breakdown
Pune (Starting Point)
Starting Areas: Most travelers start from Shivajinagar, Kothrud, Pimpri-Chinchwad, or Hinjewadi areas. Head towards Ahmednagar Road (NH60) via University Circle → Yerawada → Kharadi route.
Time to clear Pune city: 30-45 minutes (depending on starting location and traffic)
Pune City Exit / Kharadi Bypass
Clear Pune limits via Kharadi-Wagholi route. 4-lane highway begins here. First fuel station: Indian Oil, HP near Wagholi.
Tip: Fill fuel here if starting with less than half tank - next reliable fuel ~60 km ahead.
Shikrapur
Small town, quick stop option. Highway dhabas available for tea/snacks. Not recommended for main meal (better options ahead in Ahmednagar).
Facilities: Basic restrooms, tea stalls, small eateries
Khed-Shivapur / First Major Toll
First toll plaza: ₹100-150 for cars. Highway continues smooth and wide after toll.
Fuel: Indian Oil pump near toll. Good option to refuel if needed.
Ahmednagar (Major Midway Stop) ⭐
This is the primary stop for most Pune-Shirdi travelers. Ahmednagar is a well-developed city with excellent facilities - restaurants, fuel stations, clean restrooms, medical shops, ATMs.
Recommended Restaurants in Ahmednagar:
- • Hotel Panchavati - Pure veg, Maharashtrian thali, clean and hygienic (₹150-250)
- • Sai Palace Restaurant - Multi-cuisine, family-friendly, AC dining (₹200-350)
- • Highway King Dhaba - North Indian, roadside, quick service (₹100-200)
- • Kanifnath Hotel - Local favorite, veg/non-veg options (₹150-300)
Suggested stop duration: 20-30 minutes for meal + restroom break. Ahmednagar city can have moderate traffic—use bypass if not stopping.
Ahmednagar Exit / Shirdi Road Junction
After Ahmednagar city, highway narrows to 2-lane state highway towards Shirdi. Road condition still good but drive carefully (slower vehicles, occasional cattle).
Note: Road quality remains excellent - recently upgraded sections. No rough patches.
Newasa
Small town, quick stop option for tea/snacks if you skipped Ahmednagar. Basic facilities available.
Facilities: Tea stalls, small restaurants, fuel pump
Kopargaon Junction
Last major town before Shirdi (17 km remaining). Kopargaon has decent restaurants if you need last-minute meal before reaching Shirdi temple.
Most travelers skip Kopargaon if they've eaten in Ahmednagar, heading straight to Shirdi.
Shirdi (Destination)
Arrival at Shirdi town. Follow signboards to Sai Baba Temple (main temple complex visible from main road). Multiple parking areas around temple (₹50-100 for cars).
Journey complete! Total driving time: 4-4.5 hours with 1-2 stops. For the Shirdi to Pune cab return journey, the same route applies in reverse.
Best Food & Rest Stops
Recommended Stop Strategy:
Single Long Stop (Recommended): Ahmednagar at 120 km mark. Stop for 20-30 minutes—meal + restroom + stretch. Then drive straight to Shirdi (remaining 67 km, 1.5 hrs).
Two Short Stops: Quick tea break at Shikrapur (30 km), then main meal at Ahmednagar (120 km). Good if you prefer breaking the journey into smaller segments.
No-Stop Direct (Early Morning Travelers): If you start 1-2 AM for 4:30 AM Kakad Aarti, drive straight to Shirdi (4 hours). Have breakfast near Shirdi temple after darshan.
Top Restaurant Picks:
Hotel Panchavati (Ahmednagar)
Type: Pure Vegetarian
Cuisine: Maharashtrian thali, North Indian
Price: ₹150-250 per person
Timings: 7 AM - 10 PM
Clean, hygienic, family-friendly. Famous for unlimited thali. Always crowded during lunch (12-2 PM).
Sai Palace Restaurant (Ahmednagar)
Type: Multi-Cuisine
Cuisine: Veg/Non-veg, Chinese, South Indian
Price: ₹200-350 per person
Timings: 8 AM - 11 PM
AC dining, comfortable seating, good for groups. Slightly expensive but worth it for comfort.
Highway King Dhaba (Ahmednagar)
Type: Highway Dhaba
Cuisine: North Indian, Punjabi
Price: ₹100-200 per person
Timings: 6 AM - 11 PM
Quick service, authentic dhaba taste. Good for travelers wanting fast meal without AC dining.
Roadside Dhabas (Various Locations)
Type: Quick Stops
Cuisine: Tea, snacks, breakfast
Price: ₹50-150 per person
Locations: Shikrapur, Newasa, Highway stretches
Good for chai-samosa breaks. Check cleanliness before ordering food.
Fuel Stations & Essential Facilities
Major Fuel Stations on Route:
| Location | Distance from Pune | Operator | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wagholi | 15-20 km | Indian Oil, HP | Fuel, Air, Restroom |
| Khed-Shivapur Toll | 60-65 km | Indian Oil | Fuel, Restroom, Snacks |
| Ahmednagar (multiple) | 115-125 km | All major brands | All facilities |
| Newasa | 155-160 km | HP, Bharat Petroleum | Fuel, Restroom |
| Kopargaon | 168-170 km | Indian Oil, HP | Fuel, Restroom, Snacks |
Fuel Planning Tip:
For sedans/hatchbacks: Start with full tank in Pune. 187 km journey consumes approximately 12-15 liters (sedan). One full tank sufficient for round trip if returning same day. For safety, refuel at Ahmednagar (120 km mark) if planning overnight stay and next-day return journey.
Toll Plazas & Charges
Toll Overview:
Total toll charges: ₹200-300 for one-way journey (varies by exact route and vehicle type). Payment options: Cash, FASTag (recommended for faster transit).
Khed-Shivapur Toll Plaza
Location: ~60-65 km from Pune | Charges: ₹100-150 (car/jeep) | FASTag lanes available
Additional Toll (Route-dependent)
Location: Near Ahmednagar/approach roads | Charges: ₹50-100 | Varies by specific route taken
FASTag Benefits:
- No stopping at toll plazas - drive through FASTag lanes
- Saves 5-10 minutes per toll plaza (especially during peak hours)
- Cashless convenience - automatic deduction from linked account
- Digital receipts for all toll transactions
Road Conditions & Driving Tips
Year-Round Road Conditions:
Summer (Mar-May)
Excellent road conditions. Hot afternoons (35-40°C). Start early morning (5-6 AM) to avoid midday heat.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best driving season)
Monsoon (Jun-Sep)
Good road conditions, no ghat sections. Watch for waterlogging near Ahmednagar during heavy rain. Drive slow, avoid night travel in heavy rain.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Caution needed)
Winter (Oct-Feb)
Perfect weather, excellent visibility, pleasant temperatures (15-28°C). Best time for road trip. Early morning fog occasionally (6-8 AM).
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Ideal conditions)
Essential Driving Tips:
Speed Management
4-lane section (Pune-Ahmednagar): 80-100 km/h safe. 2-lane section (Ahmednagar-Shirdi): 60-80 km/h recommended. Watch for speed breakers near villages.
Overtaking: Use designated overtaking lanes on 4-lane highway. Avoid overtaking on 2-lane section unless clear visibility. Watch for slow-moving trucks/tractors.
Night Driving
Route is safe for night driving. Use high beam on empty stretches. Watch for cattle crossing roads near villages (common after sunset). Well-lit sections near towns.
Keep documents ready: Driving license, RC book, insurance. Police checkpoints near Ahmednagar - routine checks, no harassment if documents are valid.
Monsoon Travel Tips
Unlike the challenging Mumbai-Pune expressway (with Lonavala-Khandala ghats), the Pune-Shirdi route has no ghat sections, making it relatively safe during monsoon. However, precautions are still necessary. For detailed temple information, read our Shirdi Sai Baba temple guide and check the best time to visit Shirdi for planning your darshan:
What's Safe:
- • No winding ghat roads or steep descents
- • Flat terrain throughout - no landslide risk
- • Highway drainage generally good
- • No major rivers/water crossings
Watch Out For:
- • Waterlogging in low-lying areas near Ahmednagar
- • Reduced visibility during heavy downpours
- • Slippery roads - reduce speed by 20-30%
- • Cattle/pedestrians on road in rain
Monsoon Driving Checklist:
- Drive at 50-70 km/h (vs 80-100 km/h in dry conditions)
- Ensure working wipers and headlights (use low beam in heavy rain)
- Check tyre tread depth before journey (minimum 2mm for monsoon driving)
- Avoid night travel during heavy rainfall (6 PM-6 AM)
- If driving through waterlogged section, maintain steady speed (don't brake/accelerate suddenly)
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